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On the first of October, 2003, a minor vehicular collision transpired in Naples, Florida. A trivial mishap occurred as 24-year-old Felipe Santos, accompanied by his two siblings, collided with another automobile, resulting in minimal damage. The siblings, hailing from Mexico and residing in the United States as undocumented immigrants, initially attempted to settle the matter privately by compensating the other driver and urging them to abstain from summoning law enforcement. However, the other party persisted, leading to the arrival of Deputy Steve Calkins to the scene for the purpose of drafting a report. Calkins displayed a palpable unease and expressed his weariness of addressing individuals driving without proper licenses. Subsequently, he took Santos into custody, placed him in his patrol vehicle, and drove away.
Santos’ siblings later recounted that their employer had agreed to secure Felipe’s release. However, upon their arrival at the detention facility, Felipe was conspicuously absent and had not been officially processed. Whatever course of action Calkins pursued, it did not culminate in Santos being incarcerated.
In response, Santos’ family lodged a formal complaint and initiated a missing persons report. Deputy Calkins provided an explanation, asserting that Santos had exhibited courtesy and cooperation, prompting Calkins to transport him to a nearby Circle K convenience store. Although the family harbored skepticism regarding this account, the incident did not contravene established protocols for rescinding an arrest and releasing a detainee, resulting in the closure of the case. Regrettably, history repeated itself…
Terrance Williams, a name that would become enshrouded in mystery, entered the narrative.
On the twelfth of January, 2004, Terrance Williams, aged 27, vanished without a trace in the environs of Naples, Florida. His mother embarked on a personal quest to locate him, enlisting the support of acquaintances and family members who made diligent inquiries on her behalf. An aunt succeeded in tracing Williams’ vehicle to a local impound lot, revealing that the car had been towed from a nearby cemetery at the behest of Deputy Steve Calkins. The vehicle had purportedly been abandoned, obstructing traffic, with no discernible owner present. The car keys lay abandoned on the ground adjacent to the vehicle. Subsequent communication with cemetery personnel contradicted this version of events. According to them, Calkins had pulled Williams over and taken him into custody.
Despite the corroborated testimony of these witnesses, no official record of the arrest existed, and Williams never arrived at the detention facility. Initially evasive about the incident, Deputy Calkins eventually recollected and submitted a report claiming he encountered Williams experiencing vehicular difficulties. He extended an offer of assistance, providing Williams a ride to his workplace. Calkins asserted that he subsequently deposited Williams at a distinct Circle K convenience store, marking the end of their interaction.
Accounts from individuals present at the cemetery revealed that Calkins had departed with Williams and returned later to attend to the vehicle. Unfortunately, the duration of this interval was subject to wide variation, with estimates ranging from a brief 15 minutes to a substantial hour. Calkins ultimately relocated the vehicle, positioning it in an unusual manner that obstructed the thoroughfare.
Amidst a web of deception, Terrance’s disappearance yielded a trove of clues hitherto absent in Santos’ case. The narrative surrounding Felipe Santos might be tainted with ambiguity, yet substantiating falsehoods and breaches of police protocol emerged with respect to Terrance Williams.
Initially, Calkins’ assertion of vehicular malfunction is debunked, as contrary evidence indicates the car was operational. Secondly, Terrance Williams was not employed at a Circle K establishment. Thirdly, the question arises as to why Calkins alleged the car’s abandonment and the inexplicable presence of the keys on the ground. Fourthly, despite Calkins’ professed ignorance of Terrance’s last name and background, he purportedly conducted a background check. The birthdate provided by Williams during previous interactions, however, contradicts this claim. Calkins’ explanation that the background check transpired after Williams’ release falls apart when confronted with phone records revealing no corresponding call, and surveillance footage failing to capture either Calkins or Williams.
A subsequent interview with a Sergeant familiar with the investigation, as featured on the program “Disappeared,” showcased Calkins evading numerous inquiries. His responses diverged from prior statements, culminating in a cessation of cooperation and the assertion that the entire episode was a mere coincidence. To their credit, investigators conducted an exhaustive inquiry, leading to Calkins’ dismissal. Regrettably, he evaded criminal charges.
Amidst a paucity of concrete evidence, various theories vie for attention. One such hypothesis, the “starlight tour” theory, gains traction. This conjecture draws inspiration from an incident in Saskatchewan several years ago. Law enforcement officers there were known to apprehend indigenous individuals for minor infractions and subsequently abandon them outside city limits, subjecting them to the elements. While this might be considered a capricious act in the warmth of July, instances occurred during the frigid winter months, resulting in fatalities. Could Calkins have engaged in a similar pattern? Furthermore, Williams lacked a valid license or registration, aligning with cases in Saskatchewan where individuals were apprehended for minor transgressions. Could this shared characteristic serve as the linchpin linking these two cases?
While this remains but one speculative hypothesis, the possibility of more nefarious actions lingers. The contemplation of a more sinister outcome, such as foul play, emerges, prompting questions as to why Calkins failed to erase his tracks thoroughly. However, the complex interplay of entitlement and circumstance could offer an explanation for his actions.
Regrettably, little progress has been achieved in unraveling these mysteries over nearly two decades. Notably, Tyler Perry, a notable figure in the entertainment industry, became captivated by the Williams case after encountering it on “Disappeared.” A few years hence, he committed to financing a legal pursuit initiated by Terrance’s mother against Steve Calkins. While a modest step, it signifies an effort to hold someone accountable.
In the absence of definitive answers, the fate of Felipe Santos and Terrance Williams remains an enigma, subject to speculation and uncertainty.
